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Google Drive Starter Guide and Tutorial

First Dropbox then SkyDrive and now Google Drive has arrived to satisfy our ever growing desire to get more space. Amidst other competitors Google Drive is expected to perform well with built-in support for Google Docs, Android smartphone/ tablets and other services. Not to forget the availability of immaculate add-ons (Chrome web apps) offered by Google and well-recognized third-party developers. However, immense features and add-ons bring headache along with it since they are somewhat difficult to understand. To understand Google Drive features thoroughly, we’ve compiled a detailed starter guide cum tutorial for our readers.

First of all, before moving further let me remind you that with Google Drive you can upload up to 30 different types of file. This includes major document extension, video, music, image extensions. Chrome web store will help you to increase overall productivity of Google Drive. Google Docs offline support will let you access all of your files offline, however, it is in read-only mode.

Install Google Drive

Earlier, we had provided a full guide to GDrive. Instead of repeating the same stuff we’re just narrating the most important points. User can download Google Drive on PC and on Android handset. Once you downloaded it on your PC, it will prompt you to enter your connected email address and password. Upon entering the login credential you will be taken to your Google Drive account (2-way authentication users will be asked to enter PIN sent to you via SMS).

Installation will also create a folder on your PC (Windows 7 path C:\Users\Username\Google Drive). In case, if you have documents already stored on Google docs, it will be synced to your PC automatically. In this folder you can copy-paste your folders, files and more.

Setup Google Drive for Offline Use

As mentioned earlier, Google Drive offers a read-only offline access to docs. Users would need to download ‘Chrome Docs web app’ (works with Google Chrome browser only). In order to do this, go to ‘gear’ symbol on your extreme right side (also called as settings option). It will display options as show below.

Press ’Set up Docs offline’ option. It will prompt you to allow for permission and installing chrome web app subsequently.

Now, you can access all your offline apps from https://docs.google.com. In case if you’re connected online it will redirect you to your Drive account.

Features of GDrive

If you’ve added files, it will automatically sync to Google Drive (see the screenshot below). Users can pause the synchronization from the task pane menu. ‘Preference’ setting will let you control sync option. It will enlist all the available folders on the drive, which you can choose not to sync to your PC.

Users can even watch the video or listen to music from the web browser or Drive account on web. Folders can be opened or viewed for further details. Opening folder will launch the folder in Pane Preview where you can see list of all documents, files, video presented in the folder. From the top left corner, users can click on + sign to add/ create documents/ presentation/ drawing/ spreadsheet on the web. It will also enlist shared files with you. Users can move files from one folder to marked folder using this feature. Even, you can drag-drop files from one place to another directly from Google Drive account to manage them. All Google Chrome web apps are available from https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/collection/drive_apps. Although, the web store seems to have only few handful apps, we can expect the number to grow rapidly once it is available worldwide.

In follow up post, we will explore more features along with the Chrome web apps to understand Google Drive better. Our upcoming starter guide to Google Drive will have more detailed tutorials. Feel free to shoot your questions if you’ve trouble understanding any of the above step.